We put the latest switch rods to the test on Cumbria`s

Make the switch
We put the latest switch rods to the test on Cumbria's River Eden
Glyn Freeman
has fished for
40 years and is
a guide and
casting
instructor
based in
Carlisle
(cumbria
flyfishing.
co.uk). He is an
AAPGAI Master
instructor.
Clive
Mitchelhill
is a full-time
fly-fishing
instructor and
guide on the
River Eden
(border
gameangling.
co.uk). He is an
AAPGAI
Master
instructor.
I
N ITS correct form a switch
rod is a short, light doublehander designed for fishing
for sea-trout and grilse in
small, overgrown rivers or
low-water conditions. In
normal circumstances we do not
recommend them for single-handed
use as they are less user-friendly than
a single-handed rod.
A switch rod is matched to a shortbellied fly-line, which can carry a
sinking tip adequately. It will present a
76 August 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
fly well at long and short distance.
When choosing a rod for this purpose
be wary of long, single-handed rods
with extension handles because
they can be balanced incorrectly for
spey casting.
The most important factor in getting
the best from a switch rod is to choose
the right line. Single-handed lines are
rated on a different scale (AFTM) to
double-handed lines (AFFTA); the latter
being much heavier. To help ease this
confusion many manufacturers use
gram and grain weight ratings on their
rods, which tend to be more accurate
than traditional line ratings.
We tested the rods on the Grinsdale
Beaumont beat of the River Eden,
near Carlisle. Conditions were good,
a bright day with a light north-easterly
wind. Each rod was tested with
shooting-heads with a separate
running line: the Guideline Power
Taper (PT) Compact (7/8 wt, 33 ft head)
and Rio Scandi Short (both 7 wt and
8 wt, 34 ft head).
Airflo Airtec
Switch
Snowbee
Diamond 2
Switch
Length: 11 ft 3 in
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £189.99
Length: 10 ft 6 in
Rating: 8 wt
Price: £219
The most affordable
rod in the test,
relatively easy to
cast and quite
forgiving. Maybe not
as fast or crisp as
some of the other
rods. It worked best
with a long smooth
progressive casting
stroke, which helped
prevent too much
bounce through the
tip. Of the two lines
we used it liked the
lighter Rio Scandi
Short better than the
Guideline PT
Compact. This is a
forgiving rod that we
felt would suit up to
medium-ability
casters, but
especially someone
who is new to
switch rods.
This is a medium
to fast rod that
performed well with
the Rio Scandi Short
8 wt line. Although it
liked a faster stroke
than some of the
rods on test, it also
liked a longer
progressive forward
stroke. We felt that
there were more
comfortable casting
rods in the test that
offered a little more
accuracy, but it
worked well enough.
V ER DICT
An
affordable
heavier-line
option
where
bigger flies
may be
required
V ER DICT
A good
fishing rod
that will do
what you
need it to
Contact
Contact
Tel: 0871 911 7045
Web: airflofishing.com
Tel: 01752 334 933
Web: snowbee.co.uk
Daiwa Lexa
Switch
Length: 11 ft 3 in
Rating: 7/8 wt
Price: £275
The Lexa needed a
fairly easy casting
stroke when used
with the 8 wt Scandi
short. While it put
out a nice line, it
didn’t recover as
quickly as some of
the other rods in the
test, therefore it
lacked a little
accuracy. However it
worked best with the
lighter 7 wt Scandi
line, which made it a
little crisper in its
action. It would
certainly make a nice
rod for more delicate
work with this lighter
combo, and is yet
another good choice
for someone’s first
switch rod. Despite
having an extension
handle, this rod was
able to perform as
well as many of the
rods in this test.
V ER DICT
Easy-tocast action
that would
suit smaller
flies and
lighter
fishing
Contact
Tel: 01698 355 723
Web: daiwasports.co.uk
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
August 2016 77
SWITCH ROD TEST
Orvis Clearwater
Length: 11 ft
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £299
A good value-for-money rod with a middle-tip action
that feels very crisp: the tip recovers well when casting.
We both felt that this rod would suit a wide range of
casters from beginner to advanced because it puts out
a nice line without trying too hard. It’s rated for a 7 wt
line and worked well with the Rio and Guideline
shooting-heads. It has a very user-friendly feel to
it and is an excellent all-rounder.
V ER DICT
Excellent value and performance
to suit most casters and
fishing situations
Airflo Rocket
Another quite
forgiving Airflo rod
but a little over
gunned when paired
with the higher-rated
8 wt Scandi Short,
making it feel a little
clumsy and
inaccurate at
distance. It
performed far better
with the thinnerprofiled PT
Compact, but even
better again when
we dropped down to
the lighter 7 wt
Scandi Short
(although this line
was still a tad heavy).
Like the Lexa we felt
it would have
appreciated a
further drop in line
size just to sharpen it
up a bit more.
V ER DICT
Another
good lightline option
for low
water and
small flies
Contact
Tel: 0333 400 4177
Web: orvis.co.uk
78 August 2016 www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
Scierra
Futuro
Length: 11 ft
Rating: 7/8 wt
Price: £299.99
Length: 10 ft 8 in
Rating: 8 wt
Price: £299.99
The Futuro is
another rod that has
a relatively userfriendly action and
initially we felt it
would suit a range of
casters with its
medium-action feel.
However, when we
returned to it, as part
of our shortlist, we
found that it lacked
the crispness and
accuracy at longer
range that was
displayed by some
of the other rods. It
works best with a
slower, longer
casting stroke and
offers a good
amount of feel
through the handle.
We found it
performed best with
the PT Compact line,
and it has the
potential to be yet
another good choice
for someone new to
switch rods.
V ER DICT
Another
good option
for someone
new to
switch rods
Contact
Contact
Tel: 0871 911 7045
Web: airflofishing.com
Tel: 01827 59659
Web: scierra.com
Snowbee
Geo Nano
Vision
Switch
Redington
Chromer
Length: 11 ft 6 in
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £329.99
Length: 10 ft 8 in
Rating: 8 wt
Price: £349.99
Length: 10 ft 9 in
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £439
The Chromer
preferred the 7 wt
Scandi Short over
the heavier PT
Compact, giving it a
nicer feel during the
casting stroke. It is
very accurate and
casts a nice line with
good loop control
but requires good
timing to get the
best out of it. The
polymer gripping
sections on the top
and bottom handle
seem like a very
good idea, especially
for wet, cold or
slippery hands. A
great rod for the
more experienced
angler, but maybe
not ideal for a switch
rod novice.
Another precise rod
with a faster action.
It performed best
with a bit more pace
in the forward
delivery. We felt that
this rod would suit
the more
experienced caster
who would know
how to get the best
out of it, because
those new to switch
rods, especially
faster-action rods,
will often miss the
speycast anchor if
having to apply
more acceleration to
the delivery. We
found it worked best
with the Guideline
PT Compact line.
Both the 7 wt lines
we used in the test
felt too heavy for the
Geo although the
lighter Scandi Short
performed better,
especially when
applying a longer
smoother stroke on
the forward delivery.
This gave the rod a
more through-action
feel, which can be a
definite advantage
for those new to
casting a switch rod,
but offers a little less
accuracy for those
who know how to
use them correctly.
V ER DICT
A good rod
for the
beginner or
improving
caster with
a longer
stroke
V ER DICT
A good
choice for
the angler
that likes
a fasteraction rod
V ER DICT
A faster rod,
precise and
accurate
Contact
Contact
Contact
Tel: 01977 681 300
Web: guideflyfishing.co.uk
Tel: 01977 681 300
Web: visionflyfishing.co.uk
Tel: 01752 334 933
Web: snowbee.co.uk
SWITCH ROD TEST
MacKenzie Atlas
Guideline LXi
Length: 11 ft 4 in
Rating: 8 wt
Price: £450
Length: 11 ft 6 in
Rating: 9/10 wt (7/8 for double-handed lines)
Price: £599
We both liked this rod very much. It has a similar feel
to the Guideline LXi and because the tip recovers
quickly it is very accurate at distance (where required).
It is a lovely rod to cast once you find the sweetspot
and we felt it would suit a variety of casters (including
those on top of their game) – it has a nice positive feel
throughout the whole cast. Glyn suggested it might
suit the more experienced caster a little better than
the Guideline. Its six-piece construction means that it
should fit in a suitcase/travel bag.
Another rod we both liked a lot, making it very difficult
to choose between the MacKenzie Atlas and the
Guideline LXi. Clive preferred the LXi for its slightly
easier action, which he felt made it appealing to a wider
range of casters. It loads nicely, picks up well and can
handle a fair amount of overhang (running line outside
the rod tip). It is accurate at distance and you could fish
with it all day without having to think too hard about
your casting. Confusingly, it is rated 9/10 for singlehanded lines so make sure you check the grains/grams
to match the right double-handed line, in this case a 7/8
weight. This is a five-piece rod that may be more
portable than the other rods on test, bar the MacKenzie.
V ER DICT
Glyn’s favourite – a rod that offers
high performance without having to
put too much thought into every cast
Contact
Tel: Scott MacKenzie, 07771 330 729
Web: mackenzieflyfishing.com
V ER DICT
Clive’s favourite – a great userfriendly all-round option for
casters of all abilities
Contact
Tel: Jim Curry, 07973 291 367
Web: guideline.no
LTS Switch
A very nice, light and
responsive switch
rod that doesn’t
require too much
thought to cast. It
has a relatively fast
action but behaves
quite differently with
the two lines,
preferring a longer,
slightly slower stroke
with the Rio Scandi
Short and a faster
stroke with the
Guideline PT
Compact. It will put
out a good line with
both shooting-heads
without much effort,
although we felt it
doesn’t quite recover
as well as others in
the test. It’s definitely
a rod you could put
on your shortlist.
V ER DICT
A light,
versatile
and userfriendly rod
Contact
Tel: Reid Hagelin,
+47 926 80 990
Web: lts-flyfishing.co.uk
Sage Method
Orvis Helios 2
Length: 11 ft
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £630
Length: 11 ft
Rating: 7 wt
Length: 11 ft 9 in
Rating: 7 wt
Price: £829
Price: £795
The fastest and most
powerful rod in the
test. It is well
balanced and light
in the hand. Long,
smooth but pacey
strokes work well
and help to deepen
the bend in the blank
when casting, but it
also performs with
a shorter, more
meaningful stroke
that requires good
technique to get the
most from the blank.
A precise casting rod
in the hands of an
experienced caster.
This highperformance tool
may not be the best
choice if you are
looking for your first
switch rod.
The Helios 2 is
another faster-action
but responsive rod
that performs well
with a variety of
casting strokes. It
feels light and
comfortable in the
hand. The tip
recovers quickly for
accurate casts, and it
can put out a long
line where required.
It is another rod that
will handle a fair
amount of overhang.
This also made our
shortlist of rods, but
was just pipped at
the post as we took
into consideration
some very subtle
comparisons in feel
and performance.
V ER DICT
V ER DICT
Another
very nice
piece of
kit that
offers good
performance
A fast and
accurate
rod that will
hit long
distances in
experienced
hands
Contact
Contact
Tel: 0333 400 4177
Web: orvis.co.uk
Tel: 01977 681 300
Web: guideflyfishing.co.uk
CONCLUSION
We tested a good variety
of Switch rods that all
performed well in their own
way and there could be good
reasons for you to choose any
one of them depending on
your particular casting style,
ability, and how you intend
to use it.
That said, we had to make
a decision and in the end we
felt the Orvis Clearwater
offered the best all-round
performance of the rods
under £300 because in our
opinion it would suit a wide
variety of styles and fishing
applications.
The MacKenzie Atlas was
our pick of rods priced £300
to £500, as it offers a high
level of performance while
being easy to use, with the
added bonus of being a sixpiece rod, which is ideal for
travel and ease of storage.
The Guideline LXi was our
favourite of the premium
rods, although every one of
them performed well. The
LXi had the advantage of
being the most adaptable to
the widest range of casting
styles and techniques
while combining high
performance with
ease of use.
www.trout-and-salmon.co.uk
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